Tenerife Aquatic Center to Host 2026 Junior Water Polo Worlds

The old municipal pool in Puerto de la Cruz, now known as the Tenerife Aquatic Sports Center (CDAT), has transformed from a forgotten ruin into a world-class facility. After a 13-million-euro investment, this impressive center on the northern coast of Tenerife will host the Women's Junior Water Polo World Championship in August 2026.

The area between Playa Jardín, near San Felipe Castle, and El Peñón Football Field is no longer quiet. Instead of just the sound of waves hitting the coast during bad weather, you can now hear local swimmers (many of whom learned there), the buzz of clubs training at the CDAT, and the refreshing jets of water in the pool. In the distance, Mount Teide stands tall over the La Orotava valley, its white-tinged slopes often disappearing into a swirl of grey clouds. Yet, in Puerto, it's typically warm and dry, as usual.

The presentation of this major event was attended by several key figures: Fernando Carpena, President of the Spanish Swimming Federation; Poli Suárez, Minister of Sports for the Canary Islands Government; Lope Afonso, Vice-President of the Tenerife Island Council; and Leopoldo Afonso, Mayor of Puerto de la Cruz. All seemed delighted. The Afonso brothers, being from the town, felt a special connection, while Carpena shared an interesting family link to the area. Suárez, meanwhile, praised the warm welcome he always receives from the island's officials.

Also present in the front row, though they didn't speak, were Yolanda Moliné (Island Councillor for Sports), Manolo Gómez (CEO of Ideco), Dimple Melwani (Councillor for Tourism), and Alberto Cabo (Puerto de la Cruz Sports Councillor). A notable figure was Juan Carlos Marrero, a former international referee and now a federation delegate, who is a legend in Tenerife water polo. Marrero, who once served as Puerto's Sports Councillor, was a strong believer in the CDAT project from the start and is seen as one of the key thinkers behind what often seemed like an impossible dream.

Lope Afonso described the announcement as "a special day," marking the CDAT's first major sporting event, which he noted was "one of the reasons for which it was designed." He emotionally recalled that "a week ago marked ten years since a day that was not as joyful as today, the day the decision was made to end the useful life of a legendary pool." He added, "The history of that pool today becomes a legacy. This is not just a center for hosting events; it is for everyone. We have also kept our promise to maintain space for the teams that trained here before the closure."

Fernando Carpena began by saying that Lope Afonso's speech made him "even more excited" about the tournament's presentation, especially given the CDAT's history. He explained that he first learned about the project six years ago when Juan Carlos Marrero and former Cabildo president Carlos Alonso showed him plans. "I asked them the typical questions one usually asks. Where better than in Puerto de la Cruz? A place that had given so much to Spanish water polo or to lifesaving and rescue," Carpena recounted. He concluded, "It will be an interesting competition that will put Puerto de la Cruz and this extraordinary facility, of which we should be proud, on the map."

Mayor Leopoldo Afonso stressed that while he was enjoying this "sweet moment," it was important to acknowledge the "complicated work of many others that has culminated in the best." He called it "one of the best pieces of news we will announce in our municipality in 2026," highlighting it as a result of their strong belief in combining tourism and sport. The mayor added, "This doesn't end here. I know that the institutions will do everything on our part to continue hosting top-tier, first-class competitions."

Finally, Poli Suárez emphasized that the competition would be both a "welcome and a farewell." He stated, "When it bids us farewell, know that we will continue fighting alongside the Spanish Federation and the Tenerife Island Council." He affirmed the Canary Islands Government's commitment to "equality in sports and supporting our athletes, both those who are already successful and those coming up behind them," noting that the championship would feature "athletes who will be our future references." Suárez concluded by praising the "anonymous individuals" who enable sports clubs to succeed and major events to take place, urging everyone to "keep the torch of our land's sport alive."

The 2026 Women's Junior Water Polo World Championship will take place at the Tenerife Aquatic Sports Center in Puerto de la Cruz from August 16 to 23, 2026.

A total of 20 national teams are expected to compete. Besides Spain, other strong contenders include Greece (world runner-up in 2024), Hungary (world bronze medalist in 2024), the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. China and Japan are also expected to join, but their participation is pending the ongoing Qualification Phase in Asia.

Spain is not only a favorite but also the defending champion, having won the 2024 Junior World Championship in China. The Spanish team placed fifth in Belgrade in 2022, secured gold in Israel in 2021 and Belgrade in 2018, and took silver in New Zealand in 2016. As Fernando Carpena noted, Spain's junior national teams are performing exceptionally well, having won medals in every competition in both 2023 and 2024.

The championship in Puerto de la Cruz will feature a unique group format. There will be six groups (A to F), but they won't all have the same number of teams. Groups A and B will each contain four national teams, comprising the top eight from the previous World Championship. Groups C, D, E, and F, however, will each have three teams.

After the group stage, the competition will move into a knockout phase, starting with the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals, and concluding with the grand final on August 23.